What should a nurse do when observing unlicensed assistive personnel wearing gloves before entering a child's room diagnosed with pertussis?

When a nurse observes unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) wearing gloves before entering the room of a child diagnosed with pertussis, it is crucial to review the need for additional protective equipment, such as a face mask. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be transmitted through respiratory droplets.

While wearing gloves is a step towards infection control, it is not sufficient on its own in this scenario. Face masks are essential to protect both the healthcare worker and the patient from respiratory pathogens, especially when dealing with an airborne or droplet-spread infection like pertussis. By addressing the need for a face mask, the nurse ensures that the UAP is adequately protected and minimizes the risk of spreading the infection to others. This approach demonstrates a commitment to patient safety, effective infection control practices, and proper education for the UAP on standard precautions in infectious disease management.

In this context, the nurse's decision to emphasize the importance of a face mask in addition to gloves underscores the nurse’s leadership role in promoting adherence to infection control protocols.